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Chemistry of Rocks and Soils in Gusev Crater from the Alpha Particle X-ray SpectrometerThe alpha particle x-ray spectrometer on the Spirit rover determined major and minor elements of soils and rocks in Gusev crater in order to unravel the crustal evolution of planet Mars. The composition of soils is similar to those at previous landing sites, as a result of global mixing and distribution by dust storms. Rocks (fresh surfaces exposed by the rock abrasion tool) resemble volcanic rocks of primitive basaltic composition with low intrinsic potassium contents. High abundance of bromine (up to 170 parts per million) in rocks may indicate the alteration of surfaces formed during a past period of aqueous activity in Gusev crater.
Document ID
20060009016
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Gellert, R.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Rieder, R.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Anderson, R. C.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Brueckner, J.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Clark, B. C.
(Lockheed Martin Corp. Littleton, CO, United States)
Dreibus, G.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Economou, T.
(Chicago Univ. Chicago, IL, United States)
Klingelhoefer, G.
(Institut fuer Anorganische und Analytische Chemie Germany)
Lugmair, G. W.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Ming, D. W.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 305
Subject Category
Geophysics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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